ABC News producer Dax Tejera was laid to rest in Florida today two weeks after he suffered a heart attack and collapsed outside a Manhattan steakhouse.
Tejera, 37, who produced This Week With George Stephanopoulos, was enjoying an evening out with his wife Veronica just two days before Christmas when he died.
Veronica Tejera, 33, had a solemn expression on her face and was comforted by loved ones as she watched her husband's casket being lifted into a hearse following the service in Coral Gables, Florida on Saturday.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Veronica had been arrested and charged just hours after her husband's death when it was discovered the couple had left their children, aged five months and two years-old, alone at the hotel while they were out.
Veronica Tejera, 33, watched her husband ABC producer Dax Tejera's casket was put into a hearse in Coral Gables, Florida on Saturday, two weeks after he died of a heart attack
Earlier this week, it was revealed Veronica had been arrested and charged just hours after her husband's death when it was discovered the couple had left their children alone at the hotel
Tejera's casket was put in the hearse after a service at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Florida
Tejera suffered a heart attack moments after the couple left Bobby Van's restaurant on Park Avenue on December 23. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Veronica traveled in the ambulance with her husband, while the couple's friends went to the Yale Club to collect their children, who were alone in the room. Veronica was later arrested by the NYPD and charged.
Veronica, a senior producer at the Washington Post, has insisted the couple 'had two cameras trained' on the children as they slept, but admitted it was a 'poor decision' to leave them alone.
In a statement released on Monday night, Veronica Tejera said: 'My family and I are devastated by Dax's sudden passing. He has left behind a heartbroken family, and two daughters he loved with all his heart.
'When Dax collapsed on December 23rd, I accompanied him in an ambulance to the hospital. I asked both a close friend and my parents to rush to my children's hotel room to attend to them as I monitored them by camera. The hotel would not allow my friend in and instead called the NYPD.
'We had two cameras trained on my children as they slept, and I monitored them closely in the time I was away from them. While the girls were unharmed, I realize that it was a poor decision.
Dax Tejera with his children and wife Veronica, who was arrested on child endangerment charges just hours after his death on December 23
Dax Tejera shared an adorable picture of his daughters on instagram when they visit Rockefeller Center before his death on December 23
Family and friends gather in Coral Gables, Florida for Tejera's funeral on Saturday
'When Dax collapsed on December 23rd, I accompanied him in an ambulance to the hospital. I asked both a close friend and my parents to rush to my children’s hotel room to attend to them as I monitored them by camera. The hotel would not allow my friend in and instead called the NYPD.
'We had two cameras trained on my children as they slept, and I monitored them closely in the time I was away from them. While the girls were unharmed, I realize that it was a poor decision.
'Our family has suffered a terrible tragedy. I respectfully ask for privacy while my children and I mourn Dax’s death.'
Veronica has been charged with two counts of 'acting in a manner injurious to a child'.
She was given a desk ticket which will require her to appear in court at a future date, police said.
Tejera's wife Veronica comforted by friends and love ones at her husband's funeral Saturday
Veronica wipes away tears after family and friends comfort her at her husband's funeral
Veronica Tejera clings onto a loved on while watching her husband's casket placed in a hearse
ABC News Producer Dax Tejera's funeral was held on Saturday at the St Thomas Episcopal Church in Coral Gables, Florida
It was just two days before Christmas when the Tejera family was in New York celebrating the holidays and had plans to visit friends and go to Rockefeller Center, it is understood.
The NYPD said it received a 911 call at 11pm over 'unattended children' at 50 Vanderbilt Avenue in Manhattan, home of the members-only Yale Club hotel.
They discovered 'a two-year-old female and a five-month-old female were left alone inside of a hotel room for an extended period of time.'
The Yale Club is an exclusive club for alumni of Yale University. It includes guest rooms that range from budget studios to luxury 556 sq ft suites.
The Yale Club has luxury rooms for weddings and private events, along with fitness facilities and a library.
It was just two days before Christmas when the Tejera family was in New York celebrating the holidays and had plans to visit friends and go to Rockefeller Center
Tejera with ABC colleagues at a meeting with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a Senior Producer at the network's Washington DC bureau
Veronica's LinkedIn currently lists her as a senior producer at the Washington Post, which she joined in October 2022.
Before that, she spent nearly six years as a at CNN. Her profile states that her achievements there include producing an interview with President Joe Biden on The Lead with Jake Tapper.
She has since launched a fundraiser for the Tejera children's 529 college fundraiser account. A link to the giving page, set up through Fidelity Investments, is included in her Instagram bio.
The page says: 'Dax Tejera passed away suddenly, leaving 2-year-old Sofia and 6-month old Ella without their father. Please support the girl's education.'
Dax Tejera died suddenly after suffering a heart attack. He worked with George Stephanopoulos and Martha Raddatz, recently traveling to London to contribute to the network's coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The couple were staying at the Yale Club in Manhattan and the children were left in one of the rooms while the Tejeras went out. Pictured: A generic picture of a room at the Yale Club
The Yale Club is open to university's students, alumni and professors, as well as their guests
In a memo to staff on Christmas Eve, ABC News President Kim Godwin said: 'It’s with a heavy heart and great sadness that we share that our friend and colleague, Dax Tejera passed away suddenly of a heart attack last night.
'As EP of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” Dax’s energy, passion, and love for that show, ABC News, and you, shined every Sunday morning. That same love was extended to his precious girls.
'Our thoughts are with his wife, Veronica, the couple’s two young daughters, and the entire Tejera family.'
Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a Senior Producer at the network's Washington DC bureau.
He previously worked at NBC and held degrees from both Dartmouth and Columbia.
English (United States) ·